French Solution to Newspaper Downturn: Subsidies and Free Newspapers for Kiddies

The French Government will subsidize newspaper deliveries, and a scheme to offer a free annual newspaper subscription to 18 year olds as part of a plan to save the ailing newspaper industry.

The newspaper delivery subsidy is the center piece of a 9 fold increase in Government support of newspapers, to $90 million annually.

The free newspapers for 18 year olds offers a free, yearlong subscription to any news daily. The publisher will give the newspapers away, while the state pays for the deliveries. The idea is to get young people hooked on newspapers, so they become longterm readers. “The habit of reading the press is learned very young,” French President Sarkozy said.

According to AP, Sarkozy said it was legitimate for the state to consider the print media’s economic situation.
“It is indeed its responsibility … to make sure an independent, free and pluralistic press exists.” Apparently that can only exist in printed form. Oh la la..échouer.